Hose assembly and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A hose assembly and method of making the same are provided, the hose assembly having a first fluid passage arrangement therein for conveying a volatile liquid in one direction to a container and a second fluid passage arrangement therein for returning the vapors of the volatile liquid from the container, the assembly comprising a flexible inner hose unit having an outer peripheral surface and defining the first fluid passage arrangement therein, and a flexible outer hose unit having an inner peripheral surface and being disposed around the inner hose unit, the inner peripheral surface of the outer hose unit and the outer peripheral surface of the inner hose unit defining the second fluid passage arrangement therebetween, the inner hose unit having a Venturi section therein that tends to remove liquid from a certain area of the second fluid passage arrangement, the inner hose unit having adjacent intermediate ends, the Venturi section having opposed ends respectively interconnected to the ends of the inner hose unit to provide the first fluid passage arrangement therewith, the improvement wherein the inner hose unit comprises a plurality of separate inner hoses extending in the one direction to one side of the Venturi section and a single inner hose extending away from the other side of the Venturi section in the one direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 192,253 filed Apr. 25,1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,720 which is a continuation-in-part of98,641, filed Sept. 18, 1987.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new hose assembly and to a new method ofmaking such a hose assembly.

2. Prior Art Statement

It is known to provide a hose assembly having a first fluid passagemeans therein for conveying a volatile liquid in one direction to acontainer and a second fluid passage means therein for returning thevapors of the volatile liquid from the container, the assemblycomprising flexible inner hose means having outer peripheral surfacemeans and defining the first fluid passage means therein, and flexibleouter hose means having inner peripheral surface means and beingdisposed around the inner hose means, the inner peripheral surface meansof the outer hose means and the outer peripheral surface means of theinner hose means defining the second fluid passage means therebetween,the inner hose means having a Venturi section therein that tends toremove liquid from a certain area of the second fluid passage means, theinner hose means having adjacent intermediate end means, the Venturisection having opposed end means respectively interconnected to the endmeans of the inner hose means to provide the first fluid passage meanstherewith. For example, see FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 of this application andthe copending patent application of Glenn K. Walker et al, Ser. No.152,612, filed Feb. 15, 1988, which is a continuation application ofSer. No. 913,060, filed Sept. 29, 1986, now abandoned.

Also, see the Furrow et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,033, for anotherarrangement wherein one end of an inner hose is telescopically disposedwithin one end of a Venturi section.

It is also known to provide a plurality of separate hoses to a mixingcoupling at the inlet end of a dispensing nozzle construction so as toprovide different blends of fuel out of the nozzle construction. Forexample, see FIG. 25 of this application.

It is also known to provide a plurality of separate inner hoses withinan outer hose. For example, see the Weirich et al, U.S. Pat. No.4,378,124 and the Horner et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,009.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one feature of this invention to provide a new hose assemblywherein vapor recovery, as well as liquid recovery, can be accomplishedtherewith and therefrom when using a conventional curbside pump or thelike that dispenses a plurality of different types or ratings of fuelrespectively out of a plurality of outlets thereof so that the same canbe subsequently mixed together by a mixing unit to provide a desiredblend thereof for dispensing out of a conventional dispensing nozzleconstruction into the fuel tank of a conventional transportation vehicleor the like.

In particular, it was found according to the teachings of this inventionthat such conventional curbside pump and its mixing unit are not adaptedto utilize the vapor recovery hose assembly that has an inner producthose disposed within an outer hose that defines a vapor recovery passagewith the inner hose as set forth in the aforementioned copending patentapplication, Ser. No. 152,612, filed Feb. 15, 1988.

However, it was found according to the teachings of this invention thata new vapor recovery hose assembly could be provided wherein the innerhose arrangement thereof can comprise a plurality of separate innerhoses for leading from the curbside dispensing unit to one side aVenturi section and a single inner hose for leading from the other sideof the Venturi section to the dispensing nozzle construction whereby theVenturi section will still provide for liquid recovery from the hoseassembly and a vapor recovery passage means will still be providedbetween the outer hose and the inner hose arrangement thereof.

For example, one embodiment of this invention provides a hose assemblyhaving a first fluid passage means therein for conveying a volatileliquid in one direction to a container and a second fluid passage meanstherein for returning the vapors of the volatile liquid from thecontainer, the assembly comprising flexible inner hose means havingouter peripheral surface means and defining the first fluid passagemeans therein, and flexible outer hose means having an inner peripheralsurface means and being disposed around the inner hose means, the innerperipheral surface means of the outer hose means and the outerperipheral surface means of the inner hose means defining the secondfluid passage means therebetween, the inner hose means having a Venturisection therein that tends to remove liquid from a certain area of thesecond fluid passage means, the inner hose means having adjacentintermediate end means, the Venturi section having opposed end meansrespectively interconnected to the end means of the inner hose means toprovide the first fluid passage means therewith, the inner hose meanscomprising a plurality of separate inner hoses extending in the onedirection to one side of the Venturi section and a single inner hoseextending away from the other side of the Venturi section in the onedirection.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new hoseassembly having fluid passage means therein for respectively conveyingvolatile liquids in one direction to a container and returning vapors ofthe volatile liquids from the container, the hose assembly of thisinvention having one or more of the novel features of this invention asset forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of makingsuch a hose assembly, the method of this invention having one or more ofthe novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinaftershown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the hose assembly of this invention beingutilized for dispensing gasoline from a conventional curbside gasolinepump or the like to a nozzle means for insertion in the gasoline tank ofa transportation vehicle or the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end of thehose assembly of this invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts of the endof the hose assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the parts of FIG. 3 in theirassembled relation.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating certain partsof the hose assembly of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the Venturisection of the inner hose of the hose assembly of this invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a reduced exploded view of the parts of the Venturi portionof the hose assembly of this invention before the same have beenassembled together.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and illustrating how the parts ofthe assembly of FIG. 10 are secured together.

FIGS. 12A and 12B, when placed end-to-end, provide an enlargedfragmentary cross-sectional view which illustrates how the inner hose ofthe hose assembly of this invention has the Venturi section thereofarranged in the drape of the hose assembly at a gasoline pump or thelike.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 12A and illustrating theVenturi section in another operating position thereof in the hoseassembly.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates the drape of theprior known hose assembly as set forth in the aforementioned copendingpatent application of Glenn K. Walker et al, Ser. No. 152,612, filedFebruary, 1988.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in cross section, ofthe Venturi portion of the inner hose of the prior known hose assemblyof FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of one end ofthe Venturi section and the inner hose of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of the new hose assembly of thisinvention, FIG. 17 being partially in cross section and illustrating anoutlet means of a curbside pump means in exploded relation therewith.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 17 and illustrates thehose assembly of this invention interconnected to the outlet means ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 19--19 ofFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged end view of the hose assembly of this inventionand is taken in the direction of the arrows 20--20 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of part of thehose assembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22--22 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 21 and illustrates another hoseassembly of this invention.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 24--24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating a prior known fueldispensing arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adapted to provide a hose assemblyfor conveying volatile fluids, it is to be understood that the variousfeatures of this invention can be utilized singly or in variouscombinations thereof to provide a hose assembly for other purposes asdesired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the new hose assembly of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 30 and is shown in FIG. 1as having one end 31 thereof interconnected to an outlet means 65 of aconventional gasoline pump 32 or the like and the other end 33 thereofinterconnected to a conventional dispensing nozzle 34 which is shown ina normal position for dispensing fuel into the gas tank or storagecontainer of a transportation vehicle or the like (not shown) whereby anintermediate portion of the hose assembly 30 provides a low portion ordrape or drape area 35 thereof from which any collected liquid thereinis to be removed by the hose assembly 30 of this invention in a mannerhereinafter set forth and for the reasons set forth in theaforementioned Furrow et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,033, whereby thispatent is being incorporated into this disclosure by this referencethereto.

The hose assembly 30 of this invention as best illustrated in FIGS. 6and 17 comprises a flexible inner hose means 36 having outer peripheralsurface means 37 and defining inner fluid passage means 38 thereinthrough which the volatile liquid from the pump means 32 is adapted tobe conveyed in a direction toward the nozzle construction 34 in a mannerhereinafter set forth. The hose assembly 30 also comprises a flexibleouter hose means 39 that has an inner peripheral surface means 40 thatcooperates with the outer peripheral surface means 37 of the inner hosemeans 36 to define an outer fluid passage means 41 therebetween andthrough which vapors of the dispensed volatile liquid can be returnedfrom the nozzle means 34 back to the pump means 32 in a mannerconventional in the art such as set forth in the aforementioned Furrowet al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,033, as well as in another Furrow et al, U.S.Pat. No. 4,566,504 and the Basham U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,112 whereby theselast two patents are also being incorporated into this disclosure bythis reference thereto.

It can be seen in FIG. 17 that the inner hose means 36 comprises aplurality of separate hoses 36' at the left end thereof thatrespectively interconnect to a coupling unit 200 in a manner hereinafterset forth, the coupling unit, in turn, interconnecting to a short hoselength 36" of the hose means 36. The short hose length 36", in turn, isinterconnected to the left side of a Venturi section 90 in a mannerhereinafter set forth while the right side of the Venturi section 90 isinterconnected to a single inner hose 36'" that extends to the right endof the hose assembly 30 as will be apparent hereinafter.

Thus, the inner hose means 36 of the hose assembly 30 of this inventioncomprises the inner hoses 36', 36'" and 36'" which operate in a mannerhereinafter set forth. However, it is believed best to first describe indetail the other features of the hose assembly 30 before describing thedetails 20 of the inner hoses 36', 36" and 36'" and the coupling unit200.

While the inner hose means 36 has substantially smooth inner and outerperipheral surface means, the main body portion 42 of the outer hosemeans 39 is corrugated in a helical manner to define alternating crests43 and valleys 44 on the inner peripheral surface means 40 thereof aswell as corresponding and alternating crests 45 and valleys 46 on theouter peripheral surface means 47 thereof as illustrated in FIG. 6, eachinner crest 43 and each inner valley 44 defining an arcuate surface 33'and 34' for a purpose hereinafter described.

In addition, the outer hose means 39 has a reinforcing wire-like member48 secured to the inner peripheral surface means 40 thereof and alsobeing disposed in a helical manner along the length of the body portion42 of the outer hose means 39, the wire reinforcing member 48 beingformed of any suitable material, such as metallic material, and therebyrendering the outer hose means 39 substantially resistant to inwardcrushing thereof about the inner hose means 36 for a purpose hereinafterset forth. However, because the body portion 42 of the outer hose means39 is corrugated in the manner previously set forth, the outer hosemeans 39 is relatively flexible.

While the body portion 42 of the outer hose means 39 can be formed ofany suitable material, one working embodiment thereof is formed by themethod of providing a precurved metallic wire helix 49 (FIG. 12A) withan external urethane coating 50 thereon. Thereafter, an outer cover 51of urethane is extruded over the coated reinforcing member 48 wherebythe coating 50 thereon enhances the adhesion of the outer urethanematerial 51 to the reinforcing wire 48 while the resulting structure hasthe wire 49 effectively embedded therein. Of course, the body portion 42of the outer hose 39 could be formed of different material and by adifferent method, if desired.

In order to attach outer couplings 52 to the opposed ends of the bodyportion 42 of the outer hose means 39, substantially smooth andnonreinforced cylindrical cuffs 53 of urethane are respectively bondedor molded to the opposed ends 54 of the outer hose means 39 asillustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 17 so that the cuffs 53 can besubsequently secured to the couplings 52 in any suitable manner, such asthe manner set forth in the aforementioned Basham U.S. Pat. No.3,980,112.

However, before the cuffs 53 are molded on the ends 54 of the outer hosemeans 39, and end portion 55 of the reinforcing wire 48 at each end 54of the outer hose means 39 has the coating 50 thereon removed as well asthe outer cover 51 so that the same will tend to extend outwardly beyondthe outer peripheral surface 56 of the subsequently molded cuff 53 inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 3 so as to provide an electricalconnection between the opposed end couplings 52 of the hose assembly 30for antistatic purposes.

In particular, each coupling 52 comprises an outer metal tubularcoupling member 57 that is adapted to be telescoped over the respectivecuff 53 and have a plurality of inwardly directed ribs 58 thereofembedded into the respective cuff 53 when an internally disposedmetallic sleeve 59 is outwardly expanded within the coupling member 57in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 to hold the cuff 53 to the coupling52, the bared end 55 of the wire 49 being maintained in electricalcontact with the internal peripheral surface 60 of the metallic couplingmember 57 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. In this manner, the wire49 electrically interconnects the two end couplings 52 for the hoseassembly 30.

Each coupling 52 includes a tubular member 61 rotatably disposed thereonbetween an annular shoulder 62 of the tubular member 57 and a split ringretainer 63 as illustrated in FIG. 5 whereby the member 61 can haveexternal threads 64 thereof threaded to internal threads so as to couplethe coupling 52 to either the nozzle construction 34 or the couplingstructure 65 of the pump 32 in a manner conventional in the art and asillustrated in FIG. 18.

The tubular member 57 of the coupling 52 defines an internal annularshoulder 66 against which a clip means 67, FIG. 2, abuts so as tosubstantially concentrically mount end fitting means 68 of the innerhose means 36 within the respective coupling 52 in substantially thesame manner as set forth in the aforementioned Basham U.S. Pat. No.3,980,112. In this manner each end means of the inner hose means 36 issupported by the end clip means 67 in the couplings 52 at the opposedends of the outer hose means 39 whereby the inner hose means 36 iscarried in the outer hose means 39 to complete the hose assembly 30.

Since the coupling 52 and clip means 67 for the hose assembly 30 of thisinvention for coupling to the nozzle construction 34 are fully disclosedand claimed in the aforementioned copending patent application of GlennK. Walker et al, Ser. No. 152,612, a further discussion thereof isdeemed unnecessary other than to state that when the hose assembly 30 iscoupled to the nozzle construction 34 and to the gasoline pump 32 in themanner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 18, the fluid passage means 38 in theinner hose means 36 is adapted to direct volatile fuel from the pumpmeans 32 to the nozzle 34 to be dispensed therefrom in a conventionalmanner while the second fluid passage means 41 defined between the outerhose means 39 and inner hose means 36 is adapted to be utilized toreturn vapors from the dispensing operation at the nozzle construction34 back to the pump means 32 for a vapor recovery purpose that is wellknown in the art.

It is also known, as fully described in the aforementioned Furrow et al,U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,033, that liquid in the outer passage means 41 ofthe hose assembly 30 tends to collect at the low point or drape area 35of the hose assembly 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and it is known fromothers to include a Venturi section in the inner hose means 36 so thatthe same can have its inlet means disposed in the passage means 41 atthe drape area 35 for sucking the collected liquid from the drape area35 and directing the same back into the inner fluid passage means 38 ofthe inner hose means 36 so as to be directed back to the nozzle 34 asthe liquid flows through the inner passage means 38 from the pump means32 and passes through the Venturi section to the nozzle construction 34.

It was found, according to the teachings of this invention, that such aninternal Venturi section as set forth in the aforementioned copendingpatent application of Glenn K. Walker et al, Ser. No. 152,612, resultedin the effective length of the straight portion of the inner hose meansof the hose assembly to be relatively long so that the drape areathereof cannot be bent by a user of the hose assembly 30 in properlydispensing fuel from the pump means 32 to that user's gasoline tank.

For example, reference is now made to FIG. 14 wherein the prior knownhose assembly is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30A andthe drape or low area 35A thereof is shown as having a relatively longstraight section therein that is provided by the effective straightlength of the Venturi section in the inner hose thereof.

In particular, such prior known hose assembly 30A has the inner hosemeans 36A thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, provided with astraight Venturi section 70 that is formed of metallic material and hasa flow passage 71 passing therethrough and through the opposed ends 72and 73 thereof. The flow passage 71 has a reduced throat area 74 whichcommunicates with a plurality of port means 75 that extend substantiallyradially outwardly to communicate with the outer flow passage in thehose assembly (not shown) to draw any liquid contained therein into thethroat portion 74 and, thus, into the flow passage 71 for the reasonspreviously set forth. Each port means 75 has a one-way check valve means76 disposed therein so as to prevent liquid from flowing from theVenturi section 70 outwardly through the port means 75.

The opposed ends 72 and 73 of the Venturi section 70 are respectivelyinterconnected to adjacent end portions 77 and 78 of the inner hosemeans 36A by like coupling members 79. As illustrated in FIG. 16, eachcoupling member 79 has an externally threaded end 80 that threads intothe adjacent internally threaded end 73 of the Venturi section 70 and issealed thereto by suitable sealing means 81. The respective couplingmember 79 is in turn interconnected to its adjacent end 78 of the innerhose 36A by having that end 78 telescoped within a tubular portion 82 ofthe coupling member 79 and being outwardly radially compressed intoannular grooves 83 formed internally in the tubular portion 82 by anexpanded metallic sleeve 84.

However, it was found that such a coupling arrangement for the Venturisection 70 created a straight length in the inner hose 36A that wasapproximately 5.585 inches that resulted in the substantially straightunbendable section 5A in the hose assembly 30A as illustrated in FIG.14.

Accordingly, it was found according to the teachings of this inventionthat the adjacent ends of the inner hose means could be telescoped ontoadjacent ends of the Venturi section so as to reduce the overalleffective straight length of the Venturi portion of the inner hose meansas well as to provide a smooth transition between the inner hose meansand the Venturi section.

For example, reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein the newVenturi section of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 90 and comprises a substantially cylindrical block ofmetallic material having opposed ends 91 and 92 through which a flowpassage 93 extends with the flow passage 93 being uniquely arranged in amanner hereinafter set forth.

Each end 91 and 92 of the Venturi section 90 has an end cylindricalportion 94 with the end cylindrical portion 94 at the end 92 beinglonger than the end cylindrical portion 94 at the inlet end 91 of theVenturi section 90 for a purpose hereinafter described. However, eachend 91 and 92 has three annular grooves 95, 96 and 97 formed thereinwhich respectively define intermediate outwardly directed annularrib-like portions 98 and 99 as illustrated. In addition, each end 91 and92 has an outwardly directed annular flange 100 that cooperates with anintermediate enlarged cylindrical body portion 101 to define an annulargroove 102 therewith, each flange 100 extending outwardly beyond theribs 98 and 99 as well as its respective end cylindrical portion 94 asillustrated. Therefore, it can be seen that the Venturi section 90 has asubstantially circular cross-sectional configuration throughout thelength thereof with the diameter thereof varying as illustrated.

The inner hose means 36 has adjacent ends 103 and 104 adapted to berespectively telescopically disposed over the ends 91 and 92 of theVenturi section 90 as illustrated and having the respective end surfaces105 and 106 therewith abut against the respective flanges 100 so as tolimit the degree of insertion of the ends 103 and 104 on the respectiveends 91 and 92 of the Venturi section 90. However, either before or atthe same time the ends 103 and 104 of the inner hose means 36 are beingtelescoped over the ends 91 and 92 of the Venturi section 90,substantially cylindrical metal sleeves 107 are telescoped over the ends91 and 92 of the Venturi section 90 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 witheach sleeve 107 having an initially inwardly turned annular flange 108that is of a size that permits the same to readily slip over itsadjacent flange 100 and be aligned with its annular groove 102 asillustrated to the right in FIG. 11, the internal diameter of the innerhose means 36 being substantially the same as the outer diameter of thecylindrical part 94 and ribs 98 and 99 of the respective end 91 or 92 ofthe Venturi section 90 as illustrated by the right-hand portion of FIG.11.

Thereafter, the sleeves 107 are radially inwardly compressed in anysuitable manner, such as in the manner set forth in the Brooks et al,U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,539, which patent is being incorporated into thisdisclosure by this reference thereto, whereby each radially inwardlycompressed sleeve 107 radially inwardly compresses the respective end103 or 104 of the inner hose means 36 into the annular grooves 95, 96and 97 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8 at the same time that theturned flange 108 of the sleeve 107 is received into the annular groove102 to hold the collapsed sleeve 107 on the Venturi section 90. It canbe seen in FIG. 8 that the outer peripheral surface of each radiallyinwardly compressed sleeve 107 is substantially coplanar with theexternal peripheral surface 37 of the inner tubular member 36 asillustrated.

In this manner, it can be seen that the effective overall length of thestraight Venturi portion of the inner hose means 36 can be reduced overthe effective straight length of the Venturi portion of the prior knownarrangement illustrated in FIG. 15 because the effective straight lengthof the Venturi portion illustrated in FIG. 8 is approximately only 3.475inches whereas the effective straight length of the Venturi portionillustrated in FIG. 16 is approximately 5.585 inches.

In this manner, such shortened effective straight length of the innerhose means 36 permits the inner hose means 36 to be disposed with a morecurved draped portion 35 of the hose assembly 30 when the same isassembled to the pump 32 and nozzle 34 and the nozzle 34 is beingdisposed in the dispensing position illustrated in FIG. 1 and in themanner illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

The enlarged central portion 101 of the Venturi section 90 has aplurality of radially disposed port means 110 formed therethrough andleading to the fluid passage 93 through the Venturi section 90 at oneend thereof and to the exterior of the Venturi section 90 at the otherend thereof so as to communicate with the fluid passage 41 to suck anyliquid fuel contained therein from the low portion or drape 35 of thehose assembly 30 as previously set forth. However, a plurality ofone-way check valve means 111 are disposed in the port means 110 inenlarged outer ends 112 thereof, the check valve means 111 eachcomprising a tubular housing means 113 having an internal valve seat 114therein that is adapted to be opened and closed by a one-way umbrellatype check valve member 115 carried by the housing means 113.

Each check valve means 111 includes a substantially flat disc-likefilter member 116 that defines an inlet for the respective port means110 so as to filter any fluid flow therethrough which will be created bythe fluid flow through the passage means 93 from the end 91 thereof tothe end 92 thereof in a manner well known in the Venturi art so that thefluid flow through the inlet 116 opens the umbrella valve member 115 andpermits the liquid to flow through the port means 110 to the flowpassage 93 as previously set forth and be entrained in the fuel flowtherethrough.

The port means 110 in the Venturi section 90 are disposed in a uniformlyspaced apart circular array thereof as illustrated in FIG. 9 so that inany position of the Venturi section 90 in the hose assembly 30, at leastone of the port means 110 will be below the center line of the Venturiblock 90 so as to remove liquid from the lowest portion of the drape 35of the hose assembly 30.

As set forth in the aforementioned copending patent application of GlennK. Walker et al, Ser. No. 152,612, filed Sept. 18, 1987, the size of theinlets 116 and the size of the internal crests and valleys 43 and 44 aresuch that even though one of the port means 116 is pointing directlydownwardly so as to engage against the internal peripheral surface 40 ofthe outer hose means 39 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12A or 13,wherein the inlet 116 is bridging a valley 44 in FIG. 12A or engagingagainst a crest 43 as illustrated in FIG. 13, that inlet 116 is notblocked by the internal peripheral surface 40 because of the size of thecrests and valleys 43 and 44 and the size of the particular inlet 116.

In particular, in one working embodiment of a hose assembly, thediameter of the inlet or filter means 116 is approximately 0.318 of aninch, the maximum diameter of the Venturi section 90 at the inlets 116that describes a circle is approximately 1.070 inches, the insidediameter of the outer hose means 39 at the crests 43 thereof isapproximately 1.250 inches, the inside diameter at the valleys 44thereof is approximately 1.300 inches, the outside diameter of the hosemeans 39 at an external crest 45 is approximately 1.500 inches, thepitch between adjacent turns of the wire reinforcing means 48 isapproximately 0.333 of an inch, the thickness of the wall covering 51 isapproximately 0.040 of an inch, the diameter of the wire means 48 isapproximately 0.060 of an inch as the wire 49 has a diameter ofapproximately 0.050 of an inch and the thickness of the covering 50 onthe wire 49 is approximately 0.005 of an inch, the outside diameter ofthe inner hose means 36 is approximately 0.900 of an inch and the insidediameter is approximately 0.625 of an inch with the inner hose means 36being formed of nitrite rubber that is internally reinforced with a wirebraid or a cloth braid, and, as previously set forth, the length of theVenturi section 90 is approximately 3.475 of an inch.

The flow passage 93 through the Venturi section 90 is uniquely arrangedso as to define an intermediate cylindrical portion 117 that has opposedends 118 and 119 with a substantially uniform circular transversecross-sectional configuration throughout the length thereof, the ports110 interrupting the cylindrical portion 117 closely adjacent thedownstream end 119 thereof as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The flow passage 93 of the Venturi section 90 defines an inlet portion120 that is substantially frusto-conical with its smaller base 121joining the end 118 of the cylindrical portion 117 and havingsubstantially the same diameter therewith, the larger base 122 of thefrusto-conical portion 120 interrupting the end surface 123 of theVenturi section 90 at a point closely adjacent the internal peripheralsurface 124 of the inner hose 36 as illustrated.

An outlet frusto-conical portion 125 is formed by the passage 93 at theend 92 of the Venturi section 90 with the frusto-conical portion 125having a small base 126 and a large base 127 with the large base 127interrupting the end surface 128 of the Venturi section 90 so as to bedisposed closely adjacent the internal peripheral surface 129 of theinner hose 36 as illustrated.

Another frusto-conical portion 130 is formed by the passage 93 in theVenturi section 90 intermediate the cylindrical portion 117 thereof andthe outlet frusto-conical portion 125, the frusto-conical portion 130having a smaller base 131 thereof joining the end 119 of the cylindricalportion 117 and being substantially of the same diameter therewith whilethe larger base 132 of the frusto-conical portion 130 joins the smallerbase 126 of the end frusto-conical portion 125 and has substantially thesame diameter therewith.

In the previously described working embodiment of the Venturi section 90of this invention, the section 90 is formed of aluminum, the length ofthe cylindrical portion 117 is approximately 0.755 of an inch with adiameter of approximately 0.225 of an inch, the length of the inletfrusto-conical portion 120 is approximately 0.960 of an inch with thelarger base 122 thereof having a diameter of approximately 0.600 of aninch so that the angle being defined by the frusto-conical portion 120is approximately 22°, the intermediate frusto-conical portion 130 has alength of approximately 1.420 inches with the larger base 131 thereofdefining a diameter of approximately 0.405 of an inch so that the samemakes an angle of approximately 7°, and the outlet frusto-conicalportion 125 has a length of approximately 0.355 of an inch with thelarger base 127 thereof having a diameter of approximately 0.600 of aninch so that the same defines an angle of approximately 31°.

It was found according to the teachings of this invention that theaforementioned working embodiment of the Venturi section 90 provided fora smooth transition of the flow of fuel from the inlet end 103 of theinner hose means 36 through the flow passage 93 and by having thetwo-stage exit frusto-conical portions 130 and 125, the initial gradual7° angle of the first frusto-conical portion 130 seems to prevent flowseparation before the fluid expands outwardly into the outletfrusto-conical portion 125 so as to tend to help to prevent "movement"of the low pressure location of the pressure drop in the cylindricalportion 116 that performs the sucking function as previously set forth.Also, it has been found that the cylindrical portion 117 can have anincreased diameter over the diameter of the prior known Venturi section(0.225 versus 0.218) so as to reduce pressure drop therethrough whichallows for higher flow rates to the nozzle construction 34 by the pumpmeans 32.

Therefore, it can be seen that in the operation of the hose assembly 30of this invention, whenever an operator dispenses fuel out of the nozzleconstruction 34 into a gasoline tank or the like the Venturi section 90will be located in the lowest portion or drape 35 of the hose assembly30 and because of the flow of fuel through the flow passage 93 of theVenturi section 90, a vacuum is created in the port means 110 whichtends to draw any liquid that is collected in the outer passage 41 ofthe hose assembly 30 in the drape or low area 35 thereof into the fuelflowing through the flow passage 93 so as to remove the same fromblocking the flow passage means 41 which returns the vapors to the pumpmeans 32 in a manner hereafter set forth.

In addition, it can be seen that because the straight portion of theVenturi section 90 is the only part that requires the inner hose 36 tobe substantially straight in the low area 35 of the hose assembly 30,the hose assembly 30 can have the drape or low area 35 thereofrelatively arcuate in contrast to the nonarcuate low portion of theprior known hose assembly arrangement illustrated in FIG. 14.

AS previously stated, one of the features of the new hose assembly 30 ofthis invention is to permit the same to provide a vapor and liquidrecovery means for a conventional type of curbside pump means 32 thathas a plurality of outlets for respectively dispensing different typesor ratings of fuel to be mixed together before being dispensed by thenozzle construction 34 into the gasoline tank or storage container of atransportation vehicle so that such dispensed fuel will have the desiredrating, such as desired octane rating, that the operator had selectedfor purchasing from the pump means 32.

For example, reference is now made to FIG. 25 wherein a prior known fueldispensing system is generally indicated by the reference numeral 29Band comprises a dispensing pump means 32B having an outlet means 65B, ahose assembly 30B, a coupling or mixing unit 200B and a nozzleconstruction 34B.

The hose assembly 30B comprises two separate flexible hoses 36B'respectively having their left-hand ends interconnected to separateoutlets (not shown) of the outlet means 65B and their right-hand endsinterconnected to inlet means (not shown) of the mixing unit 200B whichin turn has its single outlet (not shown) interconnected to the singleinlet (not shown) of the dispensing nozzle 34B so that a single flow offuel will flow through the nozzle construction 34B to the gasoline tankof the transportation vehicle even though the outer ends of the twolines 36B' of the hose assembly 30B are directing fuel with differentratings to the coupling unit 200B to be mixed therein and provide thatsingle flow of fuel out of the nozzle means 34B.

Thus, it can be seen that in the prior known system 29B illustrated inFIG. 25, the mixing arrangement 200B is not readily adapted to permit anouter and inner vapor recovery hose arrangement to interconnect theoutlet means 65B with the coupling unit 200B to provide for vaporrecovery as well as liquid recovery therein and therefrom.

However, it can readily be seen in FIG. 17 that the hose assembly 30 ofthis invention is readily adapted to couple with the conventional outletmeans 65 that has a plurality of separate outlets 201 and interconnectwith a single inlet (not shown) of the dispensing nozzle construction 34when the same is coupled onto the threaded portion 64 of the right-handcoupling means 52 of the hose assembly 30 as illustrated in FIG. 17.

In particular, the inner hose means 36 of the hose assembly 30 comprisesa plurality of tubular members 202, FIG. 21, formed of any suitablematerial, such as metallic material, each tubular member 202 having afirst section or end portion 203 provided with a plurality of outwardlydirected annular ribs 204 disposed thereon in spaced relation and beingadapted to be readily inserted into an end of one of the hoses 36', 36"or 36'" and be held thereon by a sleeve 205 that has been radiallyinwardly compressed and has an inwardly turned end 206 that is receivedin an annular groove 207 formed between an annular shoulder means 208and an annular ring 209 of another end portion 210 of the couplingmember 202 as illustrated in FIG. 21. Thus, it can be seen that theportion 203 of the tubular member 202 is very similar to the end 91 or92 of the Venturi section 90 previously described and that the fasteningsleeve 205 thereof is substantially the same as the sleeves 107previously described.

The other end section or end portion 210 of each tubular member 202 hasa plurality of annular grooves 211, 212, 213 and 214 formed therein inspaced apart relation and thereby permitting annular flexible orresilient sealing means 215 to be disposed in the annular grooves 211and 212 thereof for projecting out of the same and sealing that tubularmember 202 in various cylindrical arrangements receiving the same.

For example, it can be seen that the two tubular members 202 on theleft-hand ends of the inner hoses 36' are adapted to be respectivelytelescopically received in the inlets 201 of the outlet means 65 so thatthe annular sealing means 215 thereof seal against internal peripheralsurfaces 216 of the block 65 that define the inlets 201 as illustratedin FIG. 18 when the coupling nut 61 is threadedly disposed in theinternally threaded opening 217 of the block 65.

In order to hold the tubular members 202 that are fastened to theleft-hand end of the inner hoses 36' of the hose assembly 30 of FIG. 16in the proper relation to the coupling 52 thereof, the tubular members202 are respectively disposed through cooperating openings 218 formed ina body portion 219, FIG. 20, of the left-hand clip means 67' that has aplurality of spaced apart and outwardly radiating wings 220 thereof forbearing against an internal peripheral surface 221 of the coupling 52 aswell as against an internal shoulder means 222 thereof. Thus, thetubular members 202 are properly positioned for insertion into theinlets 201 of the block 65 when the left-hand coupling means 52 isutilized to couple the hose assembly 30 thereto as illustrated in FIG.18.

It can be seen from FIGS. 18 and 19 that the outlets 201 of the block 65respectively lead to passage means 223 that interconnect with the pumpmeans 32 for receiving the different fuel flows that have differentoctane ratings as previously set forth. In addition, it can be seen inFIG. 19 that the block 65 has opening means 224 that communicate withthe large opening 217 in the block 65 to interconnect with a passage 225that leads to the vapor recovery system of the pump means 32 so thatwhen the hose assembly 30 is coupled to the block 65 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 18, the vapor recovery passage means 41 is in fluidcommunication with the passage 225 of the block 65 so that the vaporrecovery system of the pump means 32 can withdraw, by vacuum, any of thevolatile vapors that are in the vapor recovery passage 41 of the hoseassembly 30 for the purposes previously set forth.

Not only are the left-hand ends of the hoses 36' provided with thetubular members 202 that are fastened therein by the sleeves 205 so thatthe ends 210 thereof extend outwardly therefrom for the reasonspreviously set forth, but also the right-hand ends of the inner hoses36' are respectively provided with the tubular members 202 asillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 21 which are respectively fastened thereinby sleeves 205 in the manner previously set forth.

Likewise, the short hose length 36" has a tubular member 202 fastened tothe left-hand end thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 21 while theright-hand end of the short hose length 36" and the left-hand end of thesingle inner hose 36'" are respectively secured by the sleeves 107 ontothe Venturi section 90 in the manner previously set forth and asillustrated in FIG. 8.

The coupling unit 200 for the inner hose means 36 of the hose assembly30 of this invention can be formed of any suitable material, such asmetallic material, and can comprise a one-piece structure that issubstantially Y-shaped to define two adjacent cylindrical inlet means225 and one cylindrical outlet means 226, the inlet means 225 beinginterconnected to the outlet means 226 by a mixing chamber means 227 inthe middle portion of the coupling member 200.

If desired one-way check valve means (not shown) could be provided inthe inlet means 225 to permit fluid flow only toward the outlet means226.

The cylindrical inlets 225 and the cylindrical outlet 226 of thecoupling unit 200 respectively define smooth cylindrical internalperipheral surface means 228 of the coupling member 200 against whichthe annular sealing means 215 of the tubular members 200 of the hoses36' and 36" sealingly engage when the end portions 210 are respectivelydisposed within the inlets 225 and outlet 226 in the manner illustratedin FIG. 21 so as to fluid seal the inner passage means 38 of the hoses36' and 36" thereto.

After the tubular members 202 of the hoses 36' and 36" have the endportions 210 thereof respectively disposed into the inlets 225 andoutlet 226 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 21, the same can befastened therein in any suitable manner. For example, in the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, a suitable metallic pin means 229 can beinserted through suitable opening means 230, FIG. 22, in the couplingunit 200 and be received in the aligned grooves 214 of the tubularmembers 202 of the hoses 36' as illustrated in FIG. 22 so as to preventthe same from being pulled out of the inlet means 225, such pin means229 being staked or otherwise secured in the opening 230 to hold thesame in place and could comprise a U-shaped member so as to have anotherleg thereof disposed on the other side of the members 202 if desired. Inaddition, a second pin means (not shown) could be utilized in thecooperating grooves 213 of the tubular members 202 for the hoses 36'.

Likewise, a pin means 231 is disposed in opening means, such as openingmeans 232 of FIG. 24, of the coupling unit 200 to fasten the tubularmember 202 of the short hose length 36" in the outlet means 226 asillustrated and an additional pin means can be utilized in the groove213 thereof, if desired.

In any event, it can be seen that the coupling unit 200 is readilyadapted to mix the liquid being dispensed thereto by the two hoses 36'in the mixing chamber 227 thereof and pass the mixed liquids out of theoutlet means 226 into the short hose length 36" so as to be conveyed tothe left side of the Venturi section 90 as illustrated in FIG. 17 andoperate the Venturi section 90 in the manner previously set forth forpreventing liquid from accumulating in the outer hose means 39, theVenturi means 90 dispensing such mixed liquid to the single outlet means68 for the nozzle construction 34 to dispense the same to a vehiclegasoline tank or the like as previously set forth.

Therefore, it can be seen that the hose assembly 30 of this inventioncan be made by the method of this invention in a relatively simple andeffective manner by merely fastening the tubular members 202 to theopposed ends of the hoses 36' and to the left-hand end of the short hoselength 36" and then assembling the hoses 36' and 36" to the couplingmember 200 by inserting the ends 210 of the tubular members 242respectively into the inlet means 225 and outlet means 226 to befastened therein by the pin means 229 and 231 as previously set forth.Before or after using the coupling unit 200, the right-hand end of theshort hose length 36" can be fastened onto the end 91 of the Venturisection 90 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 to provide theassembly as illustrated in FIG. 8 after the single hose 36'" has itsleft-hand end fastened onto the end 91 of the Venturi section 90 asillustrated in FIGS. 8, 10 and 11.

Thereafter, the completed inner hose means 36 for the hose assembly 30can be assembled inside the outer hose means 39 after the outer hosemeans 39 has had the coupling means 52 fastened on the opposed endsthereof as previously set forth, the inner hose means 36 being assembledwithin the outer hose means 39 and being supported therein by the clipmeans 67 at the opposed end means thereof in the manner previously setforth.

Thereafter, such completed hose assembly 30 is adapted to be utilizedwith the dispensing pump means 32 by assembling the left-hand couplingmeans 52 thereof with the block 65 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 18whereby the tubular members 202 of the inner hoses 36' are respectivelysealingly disposed into the outlets 201 of the block 65 while thecoupling means 52 is threadedly connected in the opening 217 asillustrated in FIG. 18. The right-hand coupling member 52 can then beinterconnected to the nozzle means 34 so that the hose assembly 30 cannow operate in a manner now to be set forth.

The operator operates the pump means 32 by selecting the desired octanerating of the gasoline to be dispensed therefrom and the pump means 32will then dispense into the inner hoses 36' gasoline with two differentratings of octane so that when the same are mixed together in the mixingchamber 227 of the coupling unit 200, the liquid fuel being dispensedout of the coupling unit 200 into the short hose length 36" will havethe desired octane rating thereof. This mixed gasoline will then passthrough the Venturi section 90 and out of the dispensing nozzleconstruction 34 for flowing into the gas tank of the vehicle of theoperator, the flow of fuel through the Venturi section 90 tending toremove any liquid that might accumulate in the outer passage means 41 ofthe hose assembly 30 for the reasons previously set forth so that theouter passage means 41 can recover any volatile vapors at the gasolinetank by having such vapors drawn through the passage means 41 back tothe pump means 32 by the vapor recovery means thereof in the mannerpreviously set forth.

While the Venturi section 90 of the hose assembly 30 of this inventionis spaced from the coupling unit 200 by the short section 36" of theinner hose means 36 in order to permit the drape area 35 of the hoseassembly 30 to have a relatively short straight section therein for thereasons previously set forth, it is to be understood that the Venturisection 90 can be directly interconnected to the coupling unit 200 byeliminating the short hose length 36" of the inner hose means 36 and bymodifying the cooperating end 91 of the Venturi section 90 so that thesame can be directly received in the outlet means 226 of the couplingunit 200 and be fastened therein by the fastening pin means 231previously described.

In particular, reference is now made to FIGS. 23 and 24 wherein anotherhose assembly of this invention is generally indicated by the referencenumeral 30C and parts thereof similar to the hose assembly 30 previouslyset forth are indicated by like reference numerals followed by thereference letter "C".

As illustrated in FIG. 23, the coupling unit 200C is the same as thecoupling unit 200 previously described and the same has the plurality ofhoses 36C' interconnected to the left-hand side thereof whereas theVenturi section 90C has the end 91C thereof formed in a manner toinclude the groove means 211C, 212C, 213C and 214C in the same manner asthe end portion 210 of the tubular member 202 of this invention so thatthe end 91C can have the annular seal means 215C disposed in the grooves211C and 212C for sealing with the internal peripheral surface means228C of the inlet means 226C of the coupling member 200C in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 23 and be fastened thereto by the fastening pinmeans 231 as previously set forth and as illustrated in FIG. 24. Theother end 92C of the Venturi section 90C is fastened to the left-handend of the single inner hose means 36C'" by the sleeve 107C in themanner previously set forth.

Thus, it can be seen that the coupling unit 200C and the Venturi section90C are directly coupled together in the hose assembly 30C. However, thehose assembly 30C operates in substantially the same manner as the hoseassembly 30 previously described so that a further description thereofis deemed unnecessary.

While the hose assemblies 30 and 30C of this invention merely providetwo inner hoses 36' and 36C' as leading to one side of the Venturisections 90 and 90C thereof, it is to be understood that more than twoinner hoses can be provided for such purpose, if desired.

Also, while certain dimensions have been previously set forth, it is tobe understood that other dimensions can be utilized for the variousparts of the hose assembly of this invention.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention not only provides a newhose assembly, but also this invention provides a new method of makingsuch a hose assembly as well as a new fluid dispensing system using suchhose assembly.

While the forms and methods of this invention now preferred have beenillustrated and described as required by the Patent Statute, it is to beunderstood that other forms and method steps can be utilized and stillfall within the scope of the appended claims wherein each claim setsforth what is believed to be known in each claim prior to this inventionin the portion of each claim that is disposed before the terms "theimprovement" and sets forth what is believed to be new in each claimaccording to this invention in the portion of each claim that isdisposed after the terms "the improvement" whereby it is believed thateach claim sets forth a novel, useful and unobvious invention within thepurview of the Patent Statute.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a hose assembly having a first fluid passagetherein for conveying a volatile liquid in one direction to a containerand a second fluid passage therein for returning the vapors of thevolatile liquid from the container, the assembly comprising a flexibleinner hose unit having an upper peripheral surface and defining saidfirst fluid passage therein, and a flexible outer hose having an innerperipheral surface and being disposed around said inner hose unit, saidinner peripheral surface of said outer hose and said outer peripheralsurface of said inner hose unit defining said second fluid passagetherebetween, said inner hose unit having a Venturi section therein thattends to remove liquid from a certain area of said second fluid passage,said inner hose unit having adjacent intermediate ends, said Venturisection having opposed ends respectively interconnected to said ends ofsaid inner hose unit to provide said first passage therewith, theimprovement wherein said inner hose unit comprises a plurality ofseparate inner hoses extending in said one direction to one end of saidends of said Venturi section and a single inner hose extending away fromthe other end of said ends of said Venturi section in said onedirection, said inner hose unit comprising a coupling unit having aplurality of inlets and a single outlet interconnected to said pluralityof inlets, said plurality of separate inner hoses being respectivelyinterconnected to said plurality of inlets of said coupling unit, saidinner hose unit comprising a flexible tubular length that interconnectssaid one end of said Venturi section to said outlet of said couplingunit and spaces said coupling unit from said Venturi section so thatsaid coupling unit is disposed remote from said Venturi section.
 2. Ahose assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of separatehoses each has an end and a metallic tubular member secured to said end,each said tubular member of said plurality of separate inner hoses beingdisposed in an associated one of said plurality of inlets of saidcoupling unit.
 3. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidinner hose unit comprises a plurality of annular seals respectivelycarried on said tubular members and respectively sealing with saidcoupling unit in said plurality of inlets thereof.
 4. A hose assembly asset forth in claim 2 wherein said inner hose unit comprises a fasteningdevice securing each said tubular member respectively to said couplingunit.
 5. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fasteningdevice comprises a pin.
 6. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 1wherein said tubular length has an end and a metallic tubular membersecured to said end, said tubular member being disposed in said outletof said coupling unit.
 7. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 6wherein said inner hose unit comprises an annular seal carried on saidtubular member and sealing with said coupling unit in said outletthereof.
 8. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said innerhose unit comprises a fastening device securing said tubular member tosaid coupling unit.
 9. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 8 whereinsaid fastening device comprises a pin.
 10. A hose assembly as set forthin claim 1 wherein said coupling unit comprises a one-piece metallicmember.
 11. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hoseassembly comprises spacers respectively carried by said plurality ofseparate inner hoses and being engageable with said inner peripheralsurface of said outer hose.
 12. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 1wherein said hose assembly comprises a spacer carried by said singleinner hose and being engageable with said inner peripheral surface ofsaid outer hose.